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vulnerabilities to this hazard are entirely dependent upon <br />location. The cities of Vero Beach and Sebastian have higher <br />vulnerabilities to rail system accidents. The western <br />unincorporated portion of the County has a higher vulnerability <br />to major highway accidents due to the presence of 1-95. The <br />Towns of Orchid and Indian River Shores have a low <br />vulnerability in this area. The Florida East Coast Railroad <br />blocks traffic to the hospital when trains pass through town; <br />grade separated overpasses are necessary at 41St Street, <br />Aviation Boulevard and 33rd Street, and 4t" Street. <br />Risk Assessment. Historic Events. Due to the low <br />probability of occurrence, this hazard will not be fully <br />profiled. <br />e. Wellfield Contamination — Hazard Identification. The <br />development of wellfield protection programs is a major <br />preventative approach for the protection of community drinking <br />water supplies. Wellfield protection is a means of <br />safeguarding public water supply wells by preventing <br />contaminants from entering the area that contributes water to <br />the well or wellfield over a period of time. Management plans <br />are developed for the wellfield protection area that include <br />inventorying potential sources of ground water contamination, <br />monitoring for the presence of specific contaminants, and <br />managing existing and proposed land and water uses that <br />pose a threat to ground water quality. <br />Ground water is an essential natural resource. It is a source of <br />drinking water for more than half of the U.S. population and <br />more than 95% of the rural population (Browning). In addition, <br />ground water is a support system for sensitive ecosystems, <br />such as wetlands or wildlife habitats. <br />Between 1971 and 1985, there were 245 ground water related <br />outbreaks of disease, resulting in more than 52,000 individuals <br />being affected by associated illnesses (Browning). While most <br />of these diseases were short -tern digestive disorders caused <br />by bacteria and viruses, hazardous chemicals found in wells <br />nationwide also pose risks to public health. <br />The 1986 amendments to the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act <br />require states to implement wellfield protection programs for <br />public water wells. Prevention strategies include maintaining <br />the isolation distances from potential contamination sources, <br />Indian River County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan Basic Page 73 <br />